This Society

Somethings just not right, why does our way of life feel so empty? Am I crazy or is something wrong? Who says that the path for my life must consist of 4-8 years (or more) of college and then a 40-70 hour work week with little to no time to spend with my family or friends? Who says that stress is just a natural part of life? Why is heart disease, 'newly developed vunereal diseases' and cancer so rampant yet no universal health care? Who says that I have to be in competition with that woman next to me for the attention of that man sitting across from me? Who says that becase I'm a black woman I have to be angry, overweight and bitter? Who says that black men have to be thugs and womanizers and that the best part about them is their so called "swagger"?

There is something wrong here! What do I mean when I say "here"? The U.S. This is a society where money is top priority, power comes in at a close second, fame rounding third and family fourth (if that). With a value system like that how can we expect to feel normal? How are we supposed to know what true godly love is when we don't see it on a daily basis? Our tv shows are fully of drama, dispair, and heartache. We see drug commercials for our aches and pains with side effects that give us even more intense aches and pains! People are drugged up on more psychedelic drugs than ever just to deal with the brokeness that they feel but remains "unexplainable".

The explanation, we are in a backwards society! We live in a place that is not condusive to the rearing of a people who's most primary function is to love. We help, we encourage, we give, we care about the well being of others and it's as natural as breathing. But in a society where those valuable things are not valued, where your integrity becomes your downfall, where peace can only be achieved with snorts of cocaine and countless origies, where the idea of love only leaves one to ponder upon the seemingly imminent divorce... (btw, the U.S. has the highest divorce rate in the WORLD!) we will perpetually be in limbo because our sprits are in Zion but or bodies are in Sodom and Gomorrah!

What is the answer? First, we have to educate ourselves on WHO we actually are. We have been fed stereotypes and lies from the media for so long that we actually believe them. Then we have to stop listening when we are being told WHAT to do. We have stop following the status quo, following the 'crabs in a barrel' methodology and help each other. Next, is WHERE do we go? The 'powers that be' will not just let you be empowered in a loving manner, there is some sort of assignment that they must complete that is to kill, steal and destroy the people of God...so we must prepare a place for us to live in God's protection. WHEN are we going to make this happen? When are we going to finally admit that it's not just our imagination, there is something wrong with life as is. The fact that it's 'normal' here to see someone on the street begging for food and someone can ride past them in a Lamborghini and not even think twice about helping that person says that there is an imbalance in our society! A place where a man abandoning his child is more normal than abnormal is out of order. HOW can a place where marriage is no longer sacred but is exploited on television shows and where those people in the limelight are encouraged to have little to no integrity and respect for themselves for the sick amusement of the viewers even when there are children watching. 'Roll models aren't necessary...just as long as they're models!', the media screams! WHY do we need a change...because we're worth it...we are worthy of God's love...its timeout for the madness and the degradation of our people.

God Knows (Are we using the tools?)

Living in a busy city like L.A. and observing the "culture" of this city and looking at society as a whole in certain ways leave me deeply disturbed. I could beat around the bush on this nightly rant but instead I will get to my point. (especially since my last blog was quite lengthy! :-)

I'm sure I'm not the only one that has seen the advertising billboards for the CW's "Gossip Girl" with taglines such as "Very Bad for You" and "OMFG" (I'm sure you are familiar with OMG so I'm sure you can take a wild guess in regards to what the "F" stands for.) I find myself briefly watching MTV and in the corner of my screen they are previewing a new series and all I can see is a couple making out and I'm not talking about a sweet, tender peck on the lips I'm talking about an "I've been celibate for 5 years and it's my honeymoon, so it's goin down!" type of making out. The preview stayed in the lower right hand corner of my screen for what felt like the duration of the show I was watching (or at least glancing at for 10 minutes or so). I don't remember seeing anything like that when I was a teenager and that wasn't that long ago. I know that times change but sheesh!

We are being inundated with "moderate" but now moreso EXPLICIT sexual images more and more everyday. The tv and movie producers are constantly pushing the envelope just for that "Wow" factor. This leads me to believe that with the state of our society where "the freakier, the better" is the rule of thumb then that must adversely affect our everyday lives as Christians, as those who claim to report to a higher authority. Are we letting society relax our morals and dictate what is "reasonable" behavior for Christians within this society as if God's law changes with the times? At one point in time sex before marriage was extremely taboo, then it became ok as long as you didn't have a baby out of wedlock, then it became ok to have a baby as long as you were an adult and could take care of it, now teens are having and desiring babies at an early age and the only message they hear from "society" about sex is to "use a condom". Parents are looked upon as old fashioned and almost comical if they were to suggest to their child that sex should wait until marriage (what a concept). It's almost as if God's law is some sort of ancient tool used by the Mayans that was found in an archaeological dig and though the tool is cool to look at in a History museum it is no longer useful to today's society. I guess you don't need to bang two rocks together when you have power tools and jack hammers! This is not just about sex it's about how we treat God's Word in everyday life. Do we act as if He cannot see us? Is he blinded to our indiscretions because you are "really horny" or "had to cuss the b**** out?" Just because the heavens have not fallen on your head does not mean that there are not consequences to your actions.

Question: "Why can't I find a good man?"
Answer: "You need to keep your legs closed."

Question: "Why are so many kids having kids."
Answer: "They don't have any non-hypocritical role models."

Question: "Why don't I have peace?"
Answer: "You may not be doing what God has called you to do."

Look at the state of the world. The U.S. is in a fiscal nightmare, alcohol and drug abuse are rampant, relationships are deteriorating , families are at war, the country is at war, and dagnabbit no one gives a crap about their neighbor! We are either afraid of each other or we just plain hate each other. God sees this and I believe that he is saddened by it and would like for us to recognize our downfalls and raise the bar. His mercy endures forever but the question is...do we have that much time?

When are we going to raise our standards? When are we going to understand that God sees every move we make and though He knows the condition of our heart His desire for us is the same...to do His will. His word is not a tool for primitive people, it is universal and applicable today just as it was then. The cool thing about God is that there is no "Volume 2" or "Second Edition" the same rules apply for this game of life.